Tributes have been pouring in on Twitter following the passing of the ‘enigmatic’ Gregg Jevin – despite the fact he never actually existed in the first place.

The original tweet, from comedian Michael Legge, sparked the UK’s top trend (Picture: Twitter/@michaellegge)

The hashtag #RIPGreggJevine began trending across the globe on Friday after comedian Michael Legge tweeted the message: ‘Sad to say that Gregg Jevin, a man I just made up, has died. #RIPGreggJevin’.

His followers immediately began retweeting the message and responding with heartfelt tributes to the mysterious Jevin, whose sad demise seemed to get the whole of the UK – then later the world – talking.

Comics Sarah Millican, Chris Addison and Danny Baker, plus a host of other celebrities, were also quick to offer fake praise for the national treasure, while even corporations and high street shops got in on the act.

Waterstones Oxford Street said: ‘#RIPGreggJevin. Gregg was one of our temporary Christmas staff a few years ago. Lovely bloke, our thoughts are with his family.’

The Radio Times also jokingly confirmed there would be a special tribute to Jevin on BBC2, tweeting: ‘Schedule update: 9.30pm tonight on BBC2, the tribute programme ‘Oh Well, Never Mind: The Gregg Jevin Story’. #RIPGreggJevin.’

Legge, his closest friend, kept his fans updated throughout the day, saying: ‘News still coming in about Gregg. Coroners report claims he sat on his keys to death.’